FUTSAL GUIDE

INTRODUCTION TO FUTSAL

FUTSAL was first played in 1885. Roger Grain in Montevideo, Uruguay defined the modern standard set of rules in 1932.

FUTSAL’s essential elements consist of five players a side on basketball-sized courts, indoor and outdoor surfaces without the use of sidewalls, and a no-bounce ball. The sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing. The no-bounce ball requires players to propel the ball using skill and the proper technique, rather than rely on the bounce of the ball. FUTSAL promotes and develops skills as:

• Ball mastery and control • Accurate and quick passing and receiving • Dribbling • Shooting skills • Balance • Coordination • Agility • Ability of Anticipation • Individual and team play • Fair Play • Tactical awareness • Transition from Attack to Defense and from Defense to Attack

World class FUTSAL player Falcao

The priority in FUTSAL is to motivate players in a safe environment conducive to learning. The more pleasure especially kids derive from their participation, the more they wish to play and practice on their own. While their instinct to play is natural, their affection and appreciation for FUTSAL must be cultivated. FUTSAL can be the base to such goals because it:

• Allows players numerous opportunities to frequently touch ball. • Presents many opportunities to create chances and scoring goals. • Encourages regaining possession of the ball as a productive, fun and rewarding part of the game (defending). • Maximizes active participation and minimizes inactivity and boredom. • Makes the game more coach friendly because the game is simpler, thus making it easier to recruit more volunteer "coaches". • Eliminates complicated rules such as off-sides that may hinder youngsters from “playing” and learning • Allows the game to be the teacher!

In Latin America and many countries in Europe FUTSAL has been around for over fifty years, FUTSAL is second only to soccer as the most played sport. There are approximately 25 million players worldwide and over 250,000 registered players in Brazil alone. Named for the Spanish “futbolito” and the Portuguese “salao”, combining to mean soccer played indoors. FUTSAL has honed the skills of numerous international stars including Pele, Zico, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Robinho, Deco, Ronaldo, Maradonna and Canadian Nationals such as Domenic Mobilio and Nick Dasovic. World famous clubs such as Ajax Amsterdam and Arsenal London use the approach that superior soccer skills are built by simulating the outdoor game indoors with small sided games and a smaller ball. Furthermore in many countries like Brazil, France and Spain Futsal is an aspect of youth development.

International FUTSAL game

THE GAME

FUTSAL is the only indoor game recognized by FIFA. All it needs is a basketball-sized court, two indoor goals and the correct ball. The game is played with the touchline boundaries and does not require the use of walls. The official ball is a special low bounce ball which contains a rubber bladder, foam and leather casing and is a size 4 to comply with FIFA’s international standard. Official FUTSAL goals have a width of 3 meters and height of 2 meters, but indoor goals would suffice too. Each goal is fronted by a 13-foot penalty area.

View the official FUTSAL court

Major rules and differences to outdoor Soccer

SOCCER RULES FUTSAL RULES #5 Ball # 4 Ball—30% less bounce 11 Players 5 Players 3 Substitutions Unlimited “Flying” Sub (12 Players on Team) Throw-in Kick-in Running clock Stopped clock 45 minutes halves 20 minute halves No Time-outs 1 Time-out per half Some contact No shoulder charges or sliding tackles Goal kick Goal clearance (goalkeeper throw) 4 second rule on restarts(kick-in) after the ball goes over the touchline Offside Rule No Offside Rule Goalkeeper steps No Restrictions, but limited to 4 seconds Unlimited fouling 5 Foul Limit - No wall for Direct Free Kick after 5th Foul GK cannot touch by hand a ball kicked back GK cannot touch by hand any ball played back One back pass to allowed to GK (i.e. after ball has crossed halfway-line or been touched by an opponent) No sub for player sent off Player sent off can be substituted for after 2 minutes or other has scored Corner kick placed in arch Corner kick placed on corner

A FUTSAL arena in Tokyo

Basic FUTSAL principles and patterns of play ATTACK Keeping possession of the ball is the key to success in attack. The best way of attacking is to use the entire playing area in terms of length and width and taking action either individually or collectively. Passing is one very important element of an attack. Moving without the ball is another necessary element of an attack. They should always try to give the player with the ball more than one option for a pass. The players with the ball need to play and think fast and make quick decisions to create chances. Different positioning or systems apply to different situations. It is important however, to understand that these formations have to be used just as a starting position from which players are able to make adapt to the play and make various movements on the court, never staying static. The most common offensive systems in FUTSAL are 2-2, 3-1 and 4-0. 2-2 3-1 4-0

DEFENCE The main goals of defense are to prevent the opposition from scoring and limit the opportunities by getting behind the ball and regaining the possession of the ball with pressure, balance and a close marking. Most of goals in FUTSAL are scored from the 'D' area (penalty box), so this 'D' zone and the area close to it must be very well protected. Generally the areas in the center must be protected more carefully than areas on the sides because the probability of scoring from these areas is higher. There are two widely used defensive systems 2-2 (square) and 1-2-1 (rhombus). The goalkeeper is the last line of defense and should be made as active as possible. 2-2 1-2-1

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Futsal?

FUTSAL is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking and pinpoint passing. It is suitable for players of all levels. FUTSAL is exciting for children, adults and seniors and is a very economical, safe and fun way to play. It involves the same basic skills, tactics and knowledge as the outdoor game and the official FIFA laws punish all physical fouls and encourage the players to play a more skillful game. With four court players and all the basic options of the outdoor game, there is non-stop action and players are continuously forced to play instead of stopping and watching. All together FUTSAL is a fast paced, fun and skill orientated game which challenges the players and tests their abilities.

How does Futsal promote better skills?

The small field with lines puts players constantly under pressure from other players and the out of play boundaries. For this reason players must learn to settle the ball rapidly, turn sharply, shield effectively, pass quickly and move into open space. FUTSAL involves few pre-planned situations that compel a player to improvise in order to meet constantly changing circumstances, which is ideal for the development of soccer intelligence. FUTSAL clearly emphasizes skill rather than crude physical power. The smaller, heavier and 30% less bounce ball is a great instrument in promoting individual technical development and makes it easier for rookies to get into the game. Furthermore FUTSAL enables the player to develop faster, due to the much more frequented number of ball touches compared to conventional soccer. On the strength of the small number of players in a FUTSAL team it is crucial for every player to defend and attack, that leads to a development of defensive and attacking mentalities. Moreover statistical studies are proving that FUTSAL players touch the ball 210% more often than players of indoor soccer with walls. On that basis the players become familiar with different positions and promote the ability to solve tactical problems under pressure. Modern soccer is characterized by its fast pace. The limited space on a FUTSAL court, constant opponent pressure and the 4s restart rule force the player to make quick technical as well as tactical decisions, that helps to become more confident and to prepare for the modern soccer standards. In addition the high intensity allows participation for all team members, consequently development opportunities for everybody. Particularly the goalkeepers have to be more active than in outdoor soccer. They learn to move with the ball, to keep in line with the ball and to be an active part of the attack as a fifth player. Thus they learn to think as a player and a goalkeeper at the same time, which can be very helpful to their overall game.

How FUTSAL is better then walled soccer?

FUTSAL improves and individual’s skill better than walled soccer .The game offers a larger number of quality touches which can be directly translated to outdoor soccer. In contrast the “Wall skills” of indoor soccer, which account for a high percentage of touches, are generally questionable because they can’t be transferred into outdoor soccer. As an offensive FUTSAL player there are no walls to save errant passes, to stop long balls, to rebound errant shots, to beat a defender or to save if your teammates are not moving into space to support you. That compels the players to learn supporting their teammates, using proper technique and correct pace, sending accurate service and shooting accurately. As a FUTSAL defender you can face up on an oncoming player like in outdoor soccer, let errant passes go out of bounds to win the ball, concentrate on proper shot blocking angles and drive an oncoming player into the side

to break up break-aways or odd man rushes. Consequently you are able to practice and perfect the defensive techniques, which apply to both FUTSAL and outdoor soccer. Another fundamental argument for FUTSAL is the safety. FUTSAL is a sport whose rules provide the conditions for fair play and don’t permit any excessive physical contact like sliding tackles or shoulder charges.

How popular is FUTSAL in other countries?

Futsal can be considered the world’s most rapidly growing indoor sport. It is already played around the world by over 30 million people of both sexes in at least 100 countries. There are currently four continents (Africa, Asia, Europe and South America) that have professional continental competitions for club and national teams, the UEFA FUTSAL cup, the FUTSAL Intercontinental Clubs Cup and the FIFA FUTSAL World Cup are some of the most important intercontinental competitions for clubs and national teams. Every day more and more federations, associations, academies, schools and clubs are discovering its excitement and learning value.

• In Italy, according to the Italian Olympic Committee, over 4 million play it, compared to the 1 million that play 11-a-side soccer. • In Russia, the number of players is 3,500,000. • In Japan, the supply of Futsal facilities can not keep up with demand. They believe it is the best form of soccer for the inner city. • In England, Futsal academies are expanding all over the country. • In Portugal, it is the number one game in schools and universities • In the United States, a record number of 70,000 registered players are playing the game. There are Futsal associations in 42 states and the potential for growth is huge. At the 18th National Championship, July/2003, participation increased by 40% compared to the previous year. • In Australia, Futsal has been developed very successfully for many years. • In Asia, Iran is the biggest force outside Europe and America, although the game is rapidly gaining popularity in the Far East countries. The Tiger 5's has been a huge success in Singapore.

In most countries players are amateurs but many, including the USA, Brazil, Spain Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland and Russia have professional Futsal leagues.

FUTSAL game Brazil-Argentina

More FUTSAL information can be found on the following websites: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/developing/FUTSAL/index.html www.UEFA.com www.FUTSALplanet.com

www.canadasoccer.com